It was a glorious moment for Spain, especially for Chicago Bulls forward Pau Gasol, as the nation won this year's EuroBasket with him being named the tournament's Most Valuable Player (MVP).
Spain defeated host nation France in the semifinal round of the tournament to advance in the gold medal game were they dispatched Lithuania, 80–63.
According to Sports Illustrated, the game gathered a record 27,372 spectators at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy.
The championship is the third for the Spaniards as they now have won the EuroBasket title three times in the past four tournaments.
Spain's win also qualified them to the 2016 Summer Olympics, which will be held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Gasol led his nation in their gold medal game against Lithuania scoring 25 points while grabbing 12 rebounds, almost identical with his tournament averages that earned him the MVP award.
In EuroBasket 2015, the 35-year-old Bulls forward was averaging 25.6 points and 8.8 rebounds per contest.
"I think it has special meaning and significance for sure," Gasol said speaking to the media after the win, according to the EuroBasket website.
The five-time National Basketball Association (NBA) All-Star added that the victory is something he will be always proud of.
"I love to play. I love this game, I have a big passion for this game and playing for Spain is something really special, something that I really enjoy and I think it's very noticeable," Gasol also said.
Gasol will again have the chance to don the national colors as he already declared participation in the Olympics.
But before that, he needs to focus with the Bulls who will begin their training camp on Sept. 28, according to Chicago Tribune.
The Bulls will be under new head coach Fred Hoiberg who replaced Tom Thibodeau after five seasons following the team's elimination in the second round of the playoffs last season.
